Camp Counselor

Counselor at Middle School Outdoor Adventure and Mythology Summer Day Camp

Title: Counselor

Employment Status: Exempt/Seasonal

Company Summary:

Plato Learning Mythik Camps operates outdoor mythology-based day camps for kids ages 6-15. We create a world where monsters, myth, and magic transport kids out of the mortal realm into one where they are empowered to develop new skills, take risks, solve problems, and ultimately become Heroes. With seventeen camp programs spanning from NYC to California, Plato Learning uses actors, live-action role-play, and physically and mentally engaging activities to bring myths to life.

Camp Jupiter is where pre-teen and teenage campers face smarter, tougher challenges in a Roman-centered camp. They’ll build complex STEM projects, like artillery and take part in an action-packed live-action role-play. We are looking for team members with a compassion and understanding for the behavioral needs of middle schoolers–they are navigating and their relationship with the world, history, politics, gender, sexuality, and building their opinions and values.

The world needs legends! Will you answer the call?

Job Summary:

We are hiring energetic and creative leaders to serve as Camp Counselors at all camp locations. Counselors are responsible for leading a group of 7-14 year-old camper ‘demigods’ on their weekly camp journey through the world of mythology, and for developing them into the heroes they were destined to become. Plato’s immersive storytelling weaves a mythology-inspired adventure throughout the camp week, culminating in an action-packed “Quest”. Counselors lead demigods on Quest within their parks, helping them to use critical thinking and problem-solving skills, while interacting with actors playing monsters and heroes alike.

Job Responsibilities

Lead a Community of Heroes.

• Lead 10-14 campers in groups called “cohorts” - inspired by Ancient Roman city-states.
• Enthusiastically lead and participate in all activities, while managing camper’s behavior, group dynamics, and safety policies.
• Talk with parents during camper drop-off/pick-up, about your demigod camper’s day. Include them in the experience.
• Use your own ideas and creative autonomy to facilitate an engaging, on-brand experience that makes kids happy.

Train your Demigods (our campers).

• Take charge of activities like Foam Sword Combat-Training, Field Games, Forge (cardboard crafting), Potions, and take an active role in preparing their demigod campers for their weekly Quest.
• Work off of provided activity plans to engage your campers in the programming and the week’s storyline at camp.
• When it is time to go on Quest, guide your cabin with a high level of energy and creative flair, as engaged in the storyline as the campers are.

Build the World.

• Build your demigod persona and activate the story for the campers through immersive engagement with our activities.
• Read story briefs and prepare for each week’s storyline, and enthusiastically commit to an active belief in its magic.
• Facilitate buy-in to the adventure–it is only as magical as you make it. Fun is contagious.

Steel your Resolve.

• Our Camp is an energetic all-outdoor environment that requires staff and campers to embrace exciting challenges.
• We are looking for courageous individuals excited by the discomfort of adventure, and who do not shy away from responsibility and physical exertion, even during the heat of summer or a rainfall.
• A Brooklyn Counselor will spend most of their day on their feet and walk anywhere from 15,000-18,000 steps/day on the job, across changes in elevation and varying terrain.

Rise to the Challenge.

• Counselors prove their leadership through action and are prepared to handle challenging situations with grace and eagerness to help.
• Remain patient with challenging behavior, and stay positive during bad weather.
• Provide an enriching experience to campers of all interests and differing needs
• Promote consensus as a team-player who is flexible and ready to lend a hand with an unexpected task

The Hours.

• Approx 4-6 hours of self-paced training pre-season
• Attend In-Person Training, prior to program’s start date (size of program determines length of training)
• 40 hours/week in-person at your camp location for 9 weeks.
• Monday-Friday; 7:45am-4:15pm with a ½ hour lunch break (Campers present 8:45-4:10)

What skills are we looking for?

• Experience working with groups of children aged 7-12, camp experience a plus
• Enthusiasm for world-building with campers, staff, and performers
• Positive energy that promotes excitement from both campers and fellow staff
• Looking to work in an outdoor fast-pacedenvironment with children in the summer
• Passion and involvement in any of the following: athletics, literature, theatre, storytelling, fencing, stage combat, music, visual arts, science, nature, martial arts, ttrpgs/D&D
• Age 18 and above by the start of the summer camp season

Plato Learning would like to put forth this statistic: While men apply to jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the requirements, women and other underrepresented people often only apply when they match all criteria. Even if you don't meet every checkbox in the job description, but you think you have what it takes, we encourage you to apply.

Benefits and Compensation:

• Compensation: $16.88/hr for in-season work.
• Pre-season remote training and onsite training days - $16/hr
• Any absences or sick days are unpaid
• Referral Bonus: $50 bonus for any referred applicants who are hired and work at least 4 weeks (not including training).
• Opportunity for Advancement.Year over year, we look to our returning staff members to fill leadership positions at camp.As Plato Learning grows, we look within our talented seasonal staff to fill full-time opportunities when they arise within the company.
• Community. Containing hundreds of creative-minded heroes, the Plato Learning network carries authors, podcasters, performers, dungeon masters, and many others ready to chat and create. Become part of a community with lasting friendships that extend beyond the Summer season.

Please keep in mind the start and end dates for our Brooklyn season;

• Training takes place the week of June 10th
• Camp runs June 17th-August 16th

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $16.88 per hour

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Ability to Relocate:

• Brooklyn, NY: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person